Courier Friends to Follow

Prayer isn't only for times of tragedy

By Mike Riddle
Columnist

POSTED:April 23, 2013 11:30 p.m.

Last week was a difficult time for our country. With the marathon bombing in Boston and the subsequent violence and manhunt for the suspects, the ricin-laced letters sent to our president and a Republican senator, and now the horrible fertilizer explosion in Texas, it has been a week that always will be remembered. But even with all of the tragedy, carnage and death, the positives still outweigh the negatives as we witness the great human spirit. We saw first responders racing back into the smoke to help those who were injured in the Boston explosion. Firefighters also rushed into the Texas blaze without a second thought to extinguish the flames, once again showing that most Americans are willing to do the right thing when the need arises. Not since Sept. 11, 2001 have we, as a country, united to show that we truly are the United States of America. It has also become apparent to me this week that we still look at ourselves as a Christian nation. The constant requests for prayer for victims and heroes have come from all directions — just as they did during on 9/11. Many public officials and leaders have made pleas through the media to pray for the people who have been affected by these tragedies. This leaves me wondering why it only acceptable for certain government and public officials to recognize God and pray during times of crisis. Why are we not hearing tirades from the opposition that all of these officials are violating the separation of church and state concept? Perhaps it is because these groups know that the time to raise their evil heads is during times of complacency, when we — as Americans and Christians — are too busy to care, not during times of tragedy when we are united. I, by no means, am preaching at anybody. I am as imperfect as the worst sinner who walks the street. But as a Christian, I do have a responsibility to speak up for those who cannot. Several people were killed in the Boston Marathon and the Texas fire. Between those two horrible tragedies, the number of injured is estimated to be more than 500. I think it’s safe to say we’ve all prayed many times during the past few days — before our meals and at may other time. We’ve thought about the victims and their families. Groups, organizations and businesses have prayed together, and moments of silence have been observed at major sporting events and governmental meetings. We’re all praying to God to help these people. Folks, it’s OK to say we are Christians and pray to Jesus Christ today, and it also will be OK to pray to Him six months from now, when all of these tragedy have been pushed to the backs of our minds. Once we resume our busy lives and day-to-day activities, it’ll still be OK. We need to be courageous not only as Americans, but also as Christians during the hard times and also in the future, when God is blessing us as a nation.